DKS 2 820:2018   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Furniture — Office Chairs  with swivels  — Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
JULY, 2021, Public Review  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  © KEBS  2021          Second  Edition 2021 
 KENYA BUREAU OF STANDARDS  (KEBS)                                                                                 DKS  2820:2021 
© KEBS 20 21 – All rights reserved  1  
 
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION  
 
The following organizations were represen ted on the technical committee.  
 
Alsud Engineering Ltd  
Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS)  
Galua Fabricators Ltd  
Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI)  
Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Association (KNFJK A) 
Mt. Kenya Furnitures  
Rosewood Furniture  Manufacturers Ltd  
Infinity Furniture Ltd  
Shauri Moyo Furniture Association  
Village Furnitures  
Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) - Secretariat  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS  
 
In order to keep abreast of progr ess in industry, Kenya Standards shall be regularly reviewed. Suggestions 
for improvements to published standards, addressed to the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards  
are welcome.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© Kenya Bureau of Standards, 20 21 
 
Copyright. Users  are reminded that by virtue of section 6 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 130 of the laws of Kenya, copyright 
subsists in all Kenya Standards and except as provided under section 7 of this Act, no Kenya Standard produced by 
Kenya Bureau of Standards may be repr oduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or transmitted by any means 
without prior permission in writing from the Managing Director.  
 
 
 DKS 1820 :2018 
 2  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Furniture — Office Chairs with swivels — Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENYA BUREAU OF S TANDARDS (KEBS)  
 
Head Office:  P.O. Box 54974, Nairobi -00200, Tel.: (+254 020) 605490, 602350, Fax: (+254 020)  604031  
E-Mail: info@kebs.org,  Web:http://www.kebs.org   
 
Coast Region                                           Lake Region         Rift Valley Re gion  
P.O. Box 99376, Mombasa -80100  P.O. Box 2949, Kisumu -40100        P.O. Box 2138, Nakuru -20100  
Tel.: (+254  041) 229563, 230939/40  Tel.: (+254 057) 23549, 22396        Tel.: (+254 051) 210553, 210555  
Fax: (+254  041) 229448  Fax: (+254 057) 21814  
 
 
 
 
                                                                                    DKS  2820:2021 
© KEBS 20 21 – All rights reserved  3 Foreword  
 
Kenya Bureau of Standards is a national standard  body (NSB). The work of preparing Kenya Standards is 
normally carried out through national technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for 
which a technical committee has been est ablished has the right to be represented on that committee. 
National organizations, governmental and non -governmental, in liaison with KEBS, also take part in the 
work.  
Kenya Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the KS ISO/IEC  Direc tives, Part  2. 
The main task of technical committees is to prepare National Standards. Draft Kenya Standards adopted by 
the technical committees are circulated to the technical committee members for balloting. Publication as a 
Kenya Standard requires appro val by at least 2/3 of the members casting a vote.  
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent 
rights. KEBS shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.  
This Kenya Standard was prepared by Technical Committee KEBS/TC  167, Furnitures . 
This Kenya standard prescribes requirements and methods of tests for office chairs  with swivels . This 
second edition cancels and replaces the first edition ( KS 1820 :2018), which ha s been technically revised 
with the following changes:   
- Dimensions in table 1 were revised with maximum values being  deleted in line with the current 
manufacturing practices and latest National anthropometric data . 
- Editorial errors in clause 7.1 and 7.2 wa s corrected accordingly,  
- Clause 7.2 was reorganized so that markings are removed from the chairs to chair packaging 
materials  
- Clause 5.2 on wooden materials was changed to base materials to include the non -wooden 
materials such as metals, plastics, etc.  
 
During the preparation of this standard, reference was made to the following documents:  
 
IS 3663: 1993: Dimensions of tables and Chairs for office purposes  
 
 
The assistance derived from these publications is hereby acknowledged.  
 
 DKS 2820:2021 
© KEBS 20 21 – All rights reserved  3  
Chairs for office purpo ses - Specification  
 
 
1 Scope  
 
This draft Kenya  prescribes  requirements and methods of tests for office chairs.  
 
2 Application  
 
This standard shall apply to office chairs including secretarial rotatory chairs, executive high back chairs and 
office table c hairs.  
 
3 Normative References  
 
The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute 
provisions of this part of DKS 1820. For dated references, subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any 
of these public ations do not apply. However, parties to agreements based on this part of DKS 1820 are 
encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the normative documents 
indicated below. For undated references, the latest edition of the normative document referred to applies. 
KEBS maintain registers of currently valid International Standards . 
 
IS 3663: 1993: Dimensions of tables and Chairs for office purposes  
 
KS 893 -1:1991, Specification for woven and knitted fabrics for upholstery  
 
KS ISO 16131:2012  Leather -- Upholstery leather characteristics -- Selection of leather for furniture  
 
KS ISO 7617 -1:1994, Plastics -coated fabrics for upholstery -- Part 1: Specification for PVC -coated knitted fabrics  
 
KS ISO 7617 -2:2003, Plastic -coated fa brics for upholstery, Part 2: Specification of PVC -Coated woven 
fabrics  
KS ISO 7617:1988, Plastics -coated fabrics for upholstery -- Part 3: Specification for polyurethane -coated woven fabrics  
 
KS ISO 7174 -1:1988  Furniture -- Chairs -- Determination of stab ility -- Part 1: Upright chairs and stools  
 
KS 376: 1999: Flexible Polyurethane foams — Specification  
 
4 Definitions  
 
For the purpose of this standard, the following definitions shall apply.  
 
4.1 Office chair  (see Fig. 1 and 2)  
 
4.1.1 Seat  
 
4.1.1.1  Seat he ight 
 
Seat height A of the chair means the distance between the highest point on the line joining the middle point 
of the front and back of seat of chair and the floor surface.  In the case of cushioned seats or seats with 
springs the height shall be measu red after applying a uniform load of 600 N on the entire surface of the seat.  
 
4.1.1.2  Seat depth  
 
The depth B of the chair means the dimensions measured from front to back across the chair in the middle of 
the seat.  
 
 
  
 4 4.1.1.3  Seat width  
 
The width C of t he chair means the dimension measured from side to side on a line parallel to the front of the 
chair, and at the middle of seat.  
 
4.1.2 Armrest  
 
4.1.2.1  Height G  
 
The height G is the vertical distance measured from point Z to the flat part of the armrest.  
 
4.1.2.2  Inside dimension G1 
 
The inside dimension G1 is the horizontal distance between armrests measured at the height of the flat part 
of the armrest.  
 
4.1.2.3  Length G2  
 
Length G 2 is the length from the end of the armrest in relation to the front of th e seat  
 
4.1.2.4  Length G3 
 
The length G3 is the horizontal distance between the front and back of the flat part of the armrest.  
 
 
4.1.2.5  Width G4 
 
The width G4 is the horizontal distance between the edges of the flat part of the armrest.  
 
4.2 Office chair  (see Fig. 1 and 2)  
 
Adjustable revolving chair.  
 
4.2.1 Seat  
 
4.2.1.1  Seat height A 
 
The height A of a chair seat is the height of the highest point of the front edge of the seat measured from the 
floor on the centre line of seat width C. 
 
4.2.1.2  Effectiv e seat depth B 
 
The effective depth B of the seat is the horizontal distance measured on the centre line of seat width C from 
the front edge to the vertical projection of the point X of the chair back on the centre line.  If the back is 
adjustable, B is me asured with the back adjusted to its mid height.  
 
4.2.1.3  Seat pad depth B1 
 
The depth B1 of the seat pad is the horizontal distance measured on the centre line of seat width C between 
the vertical projections of the front and back seat edges.  
 
4.2.1.4  Seat width C 
 
The width C of the seat is the horizontal distance between the upper edges of the chair sides, measured 
perpendicularly to the centre line of width of the seat, at a point 125 mm forward from the vertical projection 
of the point X of the chair b ack on this line, and with the chair back placed in its most forward position.  
 
 
 
 DKS 2820:2021 
© KEBS 20 21 – All rights reserved  5 4.2.2 Backrest  
 
4.2.2.1  Reference point X 
 
Point X is the centre of the area on the backpad that provides essential lumber support  
 
4.2.2.2  Height V 
 
Height V is the height of the area on the backpad that provides essential lumber support.  
 
4.2.2.3  Backrest height W 
 
The backrest height W is the vertical height from X to Z1 measured with the seat (if upholstered) 
compressed.  If the backrest is adjustable, it is placed in its  most forward position.  If the backpad is pivoted 
about a horizontal axis, it is put in a vertical position.  
 
4.2.2.4  Reference point Z 
 
Point Z is the intersection of the axis of rotation of the seat and the upper surface of the seat compressed.  
 
5 Mater ial 
 
5.1 Upholstery  
 
The upholstery for use as covers for office chairs shall be in accordance with KS 892 Parts 1 and 2. If the 
upholstery is of the PVC -Coated type, then it shall meet the requirements of KS ISO 7617 Parts 1, 2 and 3. If 
leather upholster y, It shall conform to the requirements of KS ISO 17076 Part 2 and KS ISO 17236.   
 
 
5.2 Base component(s)  
The base component of the chair s hall be made from suitable materials e.g. wood , plastics, metals or any 
other suitable  material that confer stability and  requisite strengths . 
 
5.3 Foam mattress  
The form mattress used for the office chair s shall conform to KS 376.  
 
6 Dimensions  
 
6.1 Office chairs  
 
The dimension of the office chairs shall be as specified in Table 1.  
 
6.1.1 Slope of the backrest  
 
The angle betwee n the vertical place of the backrest and the horizontal plane of the seat shall be 95 to 105 o 
when measured as shown in figure 1.  
 
6.1.2   If of reclining type, the chair shall be stable and not topple over when tested in accordance with KS 
ISO 7174 -1:1988  
 
6.1.3 The dimensions of office chairs, adjustable type, shall be as specified in Table 1.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 6  
 
 
Table 1 Dimensions of office chairs  
(See Fig. 1 and 2) (Clauses 3.1 and 3.2)  
 
Seat  mm 
 
A Seat height:   
 ― Chair with fixed height seat  400 Min.  
 ― Chair with adjustable height seat  390, Min  
B Effective seat depth:   
 ― Chair with fixed back  390 Min,  
 ― Chair with adjustable back  390 Min,  
C Seat width  400 Min  
Slope of the seat in relation of horizonta l from front to back  0o – 6o backward  
Armrests  (if provided)   
G Height of armrests above point Z of the seat  200 Min, 
G1 Inside distance between armrests  440 Min , 
G2 Set back of armrests in relation to the front of the seat  100 Min , 
G3 Length of the a rmrests  200 Min , 
G4 Width of the armrests  50 Min , 
Backrest  mm 
W Centre of the backrest above Z   
 ― Chair with fixed backrest  200 Min, 
 ― Chair with adjustable backrest  200 Min, 
V Vertical height of area of essential lumber support 
 (having X at its centre)  150 Min , 
F Width of area of essential lumber support  300 Min,  
U Horizontal curvature of lu mber support, radius  400 Min,  
 
Notes  
 
1 The range of adjustment provided shall include at least the specified minimum range and may be 
larger.  
 
2 Care shall be taken that in case of backrest the top edge does not end at the middle of the wing bone 
of the  back.  It should be raised either up to the shoulder level or it should be below the lower part of the wing 
bore in normal upright casual sitting posture while upper arm hanging vertically and elbow flexion is 90o. 
 
3 For high backrest angle range – 20o for lower backrest range restricted from 95o to 105o. 
 
 
 
 
 
 DKS 2820:2021 
© KEBS 20 21 – All rights reserved  7                                                                    
All dimensions in millimetres      All dimensions in millimetres  
 
Fig. 1 O ffice chair adjustable revolving type                       Fig. 2 Office chair (Aerial view)  
 
 
 
7 PACKING AND MARKING  
 
7.1 PACKING  
 
Each Chair  shall be suitably packed to protect it from damage during transportation.  
 
7.2  MARKING  
 
Each packaging material shall be marked with a registered trademark or a suitable mark identifying the 
manufacturer, the type, country of origin and model number of the chair .